For those of you with caller ID at work...

[NMAmy]

Do you ever answer your phone by greeting the caller?

I've had this happen twice today...I've called someone and they answer the phone, "Hi, Amy."

I used to do it but then I worked for a very precise, persnickity older man who was the president of the college. I saw on caller ID that the call was from one of the VP's so I answered the phone, "Hello, Marge." There was a dead silence and then I heard him say, "That's probably not the best way to answer the telephone."

Well, he taught me a lesson--I just cannot answer a telephone that way. No matter who I see the call is from, I answer, "This is Amy."

If you think you know who is on the other end of the phone line, do you call them by name or play it safe?

 

[agotta]

Only if it's my mom or Dh. Otherwise I answer with my spiel. Better safe than sorry

 

[Missy1961]

We don't have Caller ID here at work, but I do know who's read my emails, so sometimes I can guess who's calling. But I never say "hello steve" or whatever. I do my standard, "Dept. Name, My Name" answer. And even if we had Caller ID that's what I'd do.

 

[doxdogy]

I don't have caller id at work. But I did on previous jobs. I was always to afraid to take the chance and answered with my spiel.

 

[Maleficent13]

Only if it's a coworker I'm friendly with. Anyone else gets the standard spiel. But I love caller ID...it allows me some prep time...if I see the number of an especially difficult person, I can let it go to voicemail and then gather my notes/thoughts/anger management tools before I call them back.

 

[Bob Slydell]

I do if it's someone internal to our department.

 

[Dana49]

I always answer my business phone in a professional manner. I've been caught a couple of times and it's a little embarassing.

 

[cats7494]

Nope - I just say This is...
Sometimes transfers come in under the caller id and it is a different person..do not want to make that mistake

 

[numbercruncher]

I always answer "Pool hall, eight ball speaking" if its one of the folks who works for me.

 

[Tina]

I will address the caller if its someone internal or an external call from a friend or family. Anyone else gets the standard "company name... this is Tina" spiel. Of course, I sometimes get calls that I let go to voicemail when I see who it is on the caller ID!!

 

[poohbear1029]

I used to if I saw it was my DH or Mom on caller ID, but for all other external calls, I would use the spiel.....for internals, there were a few select people (ie, friends, I would answer less professionally)...or if my employees called me, I would answer with Hello, So-and-so, its Tricia, how can I help you?